“This suggests that sarcasm has the potential to catalyze creativity in everyone. That being said, although not the focus of our research, it is possible that naturally creative people are also more likely to use sarcasm, making it an outcome instead of [a] cause in this relationship.” –Galinsky

However, don’t go practicing sarcasm on just anybody, for not everyone responds to it well. (I’m sure we can all recall when we’ve said something (seemingly hysterical and witty!) that didn’t go over well with others.)

“To create or decode sarcasm, both the expressors and recipients of sarcasm need to overcome the contradiction (i.e., psychological distance) between the literal and actual meanings of the sarcastic expressions. This is a process that activates and is facilitated by abstraction, which in turn promotes creative thinking.” –Gino (as told to theHarvard Gazette)

“…Additionally, for the first time, our research proposed and has shown that to minimize the relational cost while still benefiting creatively, sarcasm is better used between people who have a trusting relationship.” –Gino

There you have it. Go practice your sarcasm on someone (but if they don’t get it, don’t blame us!).